Across Europe, regions and cities are pioneering innovative ways to promote gender equality, digital safety and well-being in youth and adult education. This session features emerging cooperation between vocational schools and Regional institutions in Catalonia and Umbria in tackling these challenges, showcasing how grassroots initiatives can inform EU-wide strategies in supporting digital safe spaces, and counter gender-based violence and disinformation. Adult education initiatives focus on safe learning and working environments and on well-being; media literacy initiatives build resilience against online hate and gendered disinformation, showing how local action drives systemic change.
- Digital and ICT | Education and culture | EU/ European | Governance and Public administration | Jobs and Employment | Local and regional | Social inclusion and Equality | Sustainable | Territorial | Youth and citizens engagement
- Code: 14WS252499
- Square Brussels, 214-216
Speakers
Moderator
Practical information
- When
-
Tue 14/10/2025, 14:00 - 15:00 CET
- Where
- Square Brussels, 214-216
- Type of partnership
- Partnership
- Format
- Workshop
- Theme
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The Right to Stay: unlocking the potential of every territory
- Language
- English
Partners
FORMA.Azione
European forum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training
European Association for the Education of Adults
European Association of Regional and Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning
Reporting
Session summary
Organised by FORMA.Azione srl, together with EARLALL, the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) and EfVET, through the Gender Equality Task Force for Lifelong Learning, the session explored how local and regional actions can foster safer, more inclusive learning environments.
Sylvia Liuti, co-founder at FORMA.Azione srl and Honorary Member of the Gender Equality Task Force, introduced the session by highlighting the fact that gender equality is not only a human rights issue but also a question of professionalism, business competitiveness and economic growth. She also presented the GenderED Coalition Project, empowering citizens to counter gendered disinformation and promote equality.
Simona Meloni, Councillor for Gender Equality and Agriculture at the Umbria Region, shared demographic data illustrating a declining birth rate and persistent gender disparities in employment and leadership positions, and highlighted local policies' approach to combating gender-based violence and promoting the inclusion of women in society and the workplace.
Lorena Ripoll Ferri, Manager of the EdTWomenDays initiative at the Escola del Treball, presented the EdTWomenDays initiative, a VET project designed to encourage more women to pursue traditionally male-dominated technical and engineering fields.
The workshop then combined expert insights with strong audience engagement, through an interactive reflection activity led by Yiannis Karoumpalos (Dafni KEK), titled “How Can We Build Gender-Equal, Safer Spaces for All?”. Participants worked in small groups to identify “barriers” and “builders” of gender equality in education and the workplace. Using principles of dialogue and adult learning, they co-created “safe space maps” outlining practical actions to make learning environments more inclusive.
The event also marked the re-launch of the Gender Equality Task Force, strengthening cooperation among EAEA, EARLALL and EfVET on inclusivity in lifelong learning.
Takeaways:
- Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential to advance gender equality.
- Change on gender stereotypes and bias begins with individual self-reflection.
- Families and communities must be engaged to create safer, gender-equal spaces in education and the labour market.
Quotes
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Creating spaces of trust for women is essential to reduce violence and foster participation.
